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Sep 08, 2023

7 Best bike racks for cars in 2023: Roof, towbar & rear

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We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

The best roof, towbar and rear-mounted bike carriers for your car

Around here, we do a lot of preaching about riding more and driving less, but we know that sometimes you need a car to get to a race or for a weekend getaway. The good news is the best bike rack for your car will make transporting your ride a doddle, with no scratched paintwork or squeezing into cramped car boots.

But before you hang your £2,000 road bike on a £20 rack, read on to find out which method of carrying best suits you, your bike, your vehicle — and your peace of mind.

In a hurry? These are the best bike racks at a glance. Keep scrolling for the full list.

Your vehicle offers three places to rack your bike: on the roof, on the rear hatch or on the towbar. Below we've run through the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is the best bike rack for you.

'There are many factors to consider when selecting the correct bike rack for your needs; from the number of bikes you’re looking to transport, your type of vehicle or vehicle set up, to the type and weight of your bike,' says Emily Hussey, buyer at Halfords. With that in mind, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type below to decide which bike rack will work best for you. And don't worry — we've done the hard work and rounded up the very best of each below.

One of the most popular bike rack options, roof racks are usually made up of cross bars and feet that attach to your car's roof (some will require roof bars), but some more innovative designs use suction cups instead, like the SeaSucker Talon bike rack below.

'If you are looking to keep access to your boot without removing the bikes first, a roof-mounted bike rack is brilliant for transporting up to four bikes,' says Hussey. 'These types of bike rack do require motorists to consider their vehicle's roof weight limit — this information can be found in your vehicle handbook — and some may find it trickier to lift bikes up onto the roof.

Also known as boot, trunk or hatch-mounted racks, rear-mounted bike racks fit to the boot of your car with straps, and are generally the cheapest option out there. 'If you’re looking for a compact and lightweight bike rack to transport one to three bikes, a rear-mounted bike rack is perfect for you,' says Hussey.

'They are small and easy to store, the only drawback is that you aren't always able to open the boot while bikes are attached. To open the boot safely, please make sure bikes are removed first.' Some models now use a clever tilting design to sidestep this issue, but check the manufacturers instructions.

Also known as hitch, tailgate or tow-mounted racks, towbar bike racks connect to a receiver hitch or tow ball already on your car — great if you already have one, but otherwise you're looking at an extra expense and a trip to the garage.

'Towbar-mounted bike racks are great for transporting up to four larger bikes and are a much better option for mounting heavier bikes such as e-bikes,' says Hussey. Most models slide or tilt so you can still access your boot, but double check this when buying.

If you've splashed out on a pricey e-bike you'll want to make sure you're carrying it safely and securely. Because e-bikes are generally quite a bit heftier than road, hybrid or mountain bikes, you won't want to lift them far off the ground — plus you'll need a bike rack that can withstand a heavy load. Because of this, towbar-mounted bike racks are the best option for e-bikes.

Almost every vehicle can be fitted with a bike rack of some sort, including trucks and SUVs. Most cars have or allow for roof bars, so a roof-mounted bike rack will mainly depend on your car's roof weight limit. Towbar bike racks obviously rely on a towbar (or towball), which if you don't already have will be an extra cost. And rear-mounted bike racks are generally compatible with saloon and hatchback cars.

Your best bet is to know your roof load limits, consider whether you want a towbar and check both product descriptions and your car's handbook to ensure compatibility.

From suction cup roof racks to top-of-the-range towbar options fit for the fanciest of e-bikes, we've rounded up the best bike racks available to shop now.

This roof-mounted bike rack scores big for ease of use and simplicity. The frame is held in place by an adjustable arm and large, soft jaws which are tightened by a click wheel, while trays and ratchet straps secure the wheels. Because it doesn't hold the bike by the tyres, it's ideal for those with mudguards or fenders, and you can mount more than one on your roof bars should you wish. Plus it includes a lock, so no need to worry while you're recharging at motorway services. This is easily the best roof rack out there.

The clever arched design on this rear-mounted bike rack means it fits pretty much any vehicle, including minivans and even cars with small spoilers — but do check your model before buying. It's lightweight, adaptable (you can refit the 'bones' to suit your car's shape) and made from heavy-duty recyclable materials. Four pads brace the weight of bikes and rack against the hatch and everything is held in place with adjustable straps. As with most rear-mounted bike racks it can restrict your rear window visibility, and you will need a number plate board.

You'd be forgiven for thinking there's no way a suction cup can hold a bike on a roof securely. But we're pleased to report that you'd be wrong. This innovative design, as well as being unofficially successfully tested to 165mph on YouTube (do not try this at home), is rated for use up to 70mph and is as sturdy as they come. The vacuum cups stick to glass, metal or fibreglass to hold bikes weighing up to 20kg without damaging paint or bodywork, and each cup includes an indicator to let you know when a perfect seal has been achieved. Ideal for sports cars or those that aren't suited to traditional roof bars, this roof rack holds a bike with the front wheel removed — so you will need to assign boot space for that — and the clever design ensures it won't move around. It's also super compact, so easy to store when not in use.

In case the name didn't give it away, this towball bike rack is super easy to fold away — plus it comes already assembled (dreamy). It folds up for easy storage and even has a built-in carry handle, plus a handy foot pedal tilts it out of the way when you need to grab extra car snacks out of the boot. The maximum load of 60kg means it's ideal for e-bikes or heavy mountain bikes, but thanks to the ease of use it's ideal for anyone regularly carting their cycling gear about — particularly if you already have a towbar. Yes, it is expensive but for that you get exceptional quality — and no need to buy a separate number plate holder or rear lights as they're built into the design.

This budget roof bike rack from Halfords comes assembled, fits a range of wheel sizes and is simple to use, with two padded wheel straps and a clamp to hold the frame in place. It's a no-frills design and as such is probably not suited to those regularly transporting their bike around, but for the odd weekend away it's a solid option. You can use it alongside other racks if you need to, but bear in mind that the U-clamp is only compatible with square and aero roof bars.

This affordable rear bike rack from Decathlon is designed to sit up out of the way of your number plate and rear lights, so you don't need to worry about also purchasing a registration plate and lighting board. It has adjustable straps, can hold up to three bikes and folds away for easy storage when not in use. Rubber stoppers protect your car's paintwork but it is light on padding, so you may want to supplement that. Also note that bikes without a horizontal top tube (some women's and kid's bikes) will need a frame adaptor to keep them in place.

You're unlikely to find a cheaper four-bike towbar rack, and what this lacks in fancy features it makes up for in decent basics. It's sturdy, feels well-built and is easy to put together. It fits a range of wheel sizes (including kids' bikes) and once in, bikes feel secure — although only in that they won't budge; there are no locks included. It won't tilt or slide for easy boot access but does include a handy lighting board and number plate holder. For £400 the advanced version allows you to lock bikes to the rack, comes fully assembled and is generally a heavier-duty upgrade. However, neither are suitable for e-bikes.

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